Orders and reports thread

[econ21]

After Ramses has uploaded a new save, we will probably be beyond the 24 hour window. So once he's done, let's hold our horses to sort out the Emergency Diet session.

[Ramses II CP]

Done. Siege lifted and... Arhus has been sacked. The treasury is now fairly well flush. Battle report to come. Wife not happy.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1344-6b.zip

edit: Okay, she cut me a break in exchange for future considerations. To fully explain, after lifting the siege I discovered that not only did Fritz have enough movement, so did his ribault. So I took the men which were a part of my army originally and left Peter the men from his at Hamburg. Arhus had only a Danish Prince inside, and though he did catch some crossbowmen he was doomed. 33k florins were taken in the sack, and the city at normal taxes is green face happy.

I think Franconia has earned a little reinforcement even though I've been recklessly burning through her armies. ;-)

[Cecil XIX]

Since the deadline has not yet expired, I'd like to take the save now. econ, what do you mean by hold our horses?

[econ21]

Since the deadline has not yet expired, I'd like to take the save now. econ, what do you mean by hold our horses.

That's fine. Go for it.

[Cecil XIX]

All right, I'm taking the save. Will you be waiting on me or the emergency vote?

[econ21]

Will you be waiting on me or the emergency vote?

The vote looks a formality, so I may tinker with what you upload before the vote formally closes. But I'm off to bed now, so there's no hurry.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

In compliance with Duke Lothar Steffen of Bavaria's orders, I request that I be immediately moved from Prague or Nuremburg down to Innsbruck.

[Cecil XIX]

Prague is safe.

Young Hermann performed well, but as the battle was rather lopsided I cannot recommend knighhood just yet. I am sure he will win his spurs in due course down south, but for now he enjoys Bohemian hospitality in Prague.

[econ21]

Taking the save.

[gibsonsg91921]

Peter von Kastilien's tentative orders for the former Prinz's Army:

Move to Bologna to unite with Elberhard's army. Take up Elberhard's mission in bringing Italy back under the control of the Reich. Additional troops left over after the merge shall move to Duke Lothar Steffen's army to reinforce him. The resulting force shall be known as Kronen Sie Legion (OOC: deguerra, help?), or the Legion of the Crown.

[econ21]

Chancellor’s End of Year Report on 1244 (Compiled by the Diet Speaker)

The Kaiser is dead:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Long live the Kaiser:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

With Chancellor Arnold still struck down by plague and the death of Steward Elberhard, our Kaiser, it falls to the Imperial Secretariat to compile the following report.

CENTRAL REPORTS

World Events

The sad loss of our Kaiser was not the only significant world event.

Pope Renaldus also passed away, replaced - with our backing - by another German, Welf the Missionary - henceforth to be known as Pope Pierus.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

While this raises our relation with the Papacy to perfect, it also brings many of our enemies - Poland, Denmark, Venice and France - back into the fold. Care must be taken in future actions against these enemies not to invoke the new Pope’s wrath.

But most worrying of all, was news of a terrible plague spreading from the East - the Black Death. This - it seems - is what currently afflicts our Chancellor, Duke Arnold. By contrast, our physicians say that the plague inflicting Staufen is a different, more mundane ailment. The Black Death has not yet, so far as we know, affected any of our settlements but we must brace ourselves for its impact.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Exchequer

Thanks to the great success of the Reich’s generals - and in particular to the sacking of Arhus - the Chancellor’s office had a large balance of florins to spend.

Priority was given to rebuilding the cities of the Reich which have been run down during the cataclysm. Alongside repairs, a particular emphasis was placed on building churches and chapels in those settlements retaken from the Byzantines. Local populations had begun to be swayed by the heretical Orthodox church, undermining support for the Reich. Only building work with a modest cost was authorised - some more expensive economic and military construction could be considered in future, but given the grave immediate situation such long term investments have not been authorised.

In addition, wherever possible, local militia were trained in accordance with the Charter requirement to maintain full city garrisons.

As a result, the starting balance of the Reich rose from 6000 florins in 1244 to 21000 florins in 1246.

The War Office

The surfeit of Imperial knights in the Kaiser’s army was causing problems due to the lack of commoners to carry out the more menial duties of campaign (OOC: it was against the historical armies rule). Consequently, some regiments of knights were left to garrison Venice and act as potential reinforcements for future losses. Two regiments of mercenary spearmen were recruited to carry out the menial work that the Imperial knights did not wish to do (like standing in front of cavalry charges).

The successful campaign against Denmark had reduced the Prinz’s army to next to nothing, with even the Prinz’s own feudal retinue being largely destroyed. Elements from the Franconian Household Army in Magdeburg were transferred to the Prinz’s command to make a small but functional army. With the sad death of the Kaiser, it is recommended that the Prinz transfer to Italy and take over command of the Kaiser’s army - including his feudal retinue. The newly formed Prinz’s army could be redesignated the Saxon Household Army. Further recruitment at Magdeburg will be required to rebuild the Prussian Household Army.

Swabia has only one Household Army proper, although Count Ludwig von Bohmen’s force at Bruges should perhaps be regarded as a second Household Army. The plague at Staufen complicates attempts to rebuild Swabia’s forces. The Swabians requested were made to despatch regiments for retraining at Innsbruck, but it was judged that providing reinforcements might better be provided in the form of new units. These units were not available this year - Duke Lothar ordered the training of fresh regiments for a second Bavarian Household Army - but should be possible next. It is recommended that next year foot soldiers be recruited from Innsbruck and Teutons from Frankfurt.

There are currently three major armies in Austria. The Imperial Secretariat wonders if the force at Ragusa should perhaps be designated the Chancellor’s army; the force at Vienna, the First Austrian Army; and that at Prague, the Second Austrian Army.

The two Bavarian Household Armies have been united to form Household Army Gerhard. New regiments recruited at Innsbruck, together with Count Erlach’s feudal retinue, provide a minimum sized second Household Army (BHA Otto).

Given the financial constraints, the Army of Outremer at Adana was judged sufficient for its immediate defensive purposes, but militia will be trained at Antioch as soon as volunteers come forward.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Swabia

Count Ruppel led the Swabian Household Army to a position between Staufen and Bern. As the Army included the Duke’s feudal retinue, the Steward thought it appropriate that Duke von Salza join it in the field.

One spy was infilitrated into Dijon and a second is en route.

Militia were trained at Bruges and Bern. A jousting field was constructed at Staufen.

Bavaria

The Kaiser recaptured Bologna, but perished in the effort:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=225

With both Bavarian Household Armies, Duke Lothar stormed Milan:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=224

Using the remnants of the Imperial fleet at Palermo, Dieter von Kassel transported four regiments and a bombard battery outside Naples. The city is lightly held - of more concern is the leaderless citadel at Palermo should the Sicilians return.

Franconia

In a military tour de force, Fritz von Kastilien, assisted by Prinz Peter von Kastilien, smashed the Danish forces around Hamburg and then sacked Arhus.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=218

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=223

These efforts effectively destroyed the Prussian Household Army (and the Prinz’s Army), but since there is no longer any immediate threat from the north, there is time to rebuild. Militia were raised where possible and a recruitment drive is underway at Magdeburg.

With its two generals on reserve duty, the Saxon Household Army was inactive at Magdeburg - regiments being transferred to form a new Prinz’s army. The Imperial Secretariat recommends Lukas Godwinson be given command of the Saxon Household Army until Dieter Bresch and Tancred von Tyrolia return to active duty.

Austria

The Steward of Austria, Count Karl Zirn, destroyed a Hungarian army in Vienna province:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=222

Count Becker broke the siege of Prague. In compliance with his instructions, construction of a city hall was begun and taxes set to low.

With their leader stricken by plague, Duke Arnold’s army at Austria remained inactive - however Johann Zirn is riding to Ragusa to take command.

Outremer

Outremer reached its new borders with the capture of Adana by Viceroy Matthias Steffen:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=219

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=220

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=221

The Viceroy requested permission to raid Caesarea, but the late Kaiser replied that, under the Charter, taking an enemy settlement - however temporarily - required prior authorisation by a Diet Edict.

A Master Explorer Guild was established in Antioch.


And so ends this report. The Kaiser’s Will recommended Dieter von Kassel be appointed the new Prinz, although whether Kaiser Peter will accept this recommendation remains to be seen. It should be noted in passing that the late Kaiser submitted the appropriate paperwork for the knighting of Ludwig von Bohmen for his heroic defence of Bruges and of Lukas Godwinson for his pivotal role in the saving Magdeburg from destruction while its generals were on reserve duty.

There were no defensive battles this year. Presumably, this was due to the exhaustion of our enemies after our many hammer blows against them. However, for one peaceful winter, it has been as if the whole of Europe has lain still, waiting for a new spring.


Diet Speaker

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1346.zip

[gibsonsg91921]

As previously stated, the feudal retinue of Péter von Kastilien will move south to Italy and unite with the remnants of the Kaiser's army, with the resulting force to be named Kronen Sie Legion. From there, it shall advance to the bottom of Italy. Péter von Kastilien reccommends that if young Dieter von Kassel wants to prove his worth and his loyalty, he move his army up from Palermo to crush the Greeks from the south. With the addition of Lothar Steffen's force in the north, this pincer movement should be sufficient to crush any remaining Greeks. When any Roman city is reconquered, it is to be occupied unless financial circumstances mandate an Imperial seizure of former Greek property. Once Rome is ours yet again, it shall be made capital and Nuremburg returned to the Bavarians.

[econ21]

Imperial Secretariat: Army commanders have 24 hours to fight any battles they wish. There are few obvious attacks to be made, except in Italy where Duke Lothar may wish to remove the rebels around Genoa. Dieter von Kassel will assault Naples in due course. Count Erlach may wish to strike at the Hungarian ex-crusade from Innsbruck.

All generals may also post instructions here for their movement and requests for any reinforcements.

OOC: If Factionheir wants to top up the AI finances again, he feel free to use the save to move the Swabian army providing Warluster is happy.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Herrmann Steffen:

Depart for Innsbruck post-haste and supervise the training of reinforcements.

[gibsonsg91921]

I would request of Duke Dieter Bresch of Franconia that the maximum number of Teutonic Knights be recruited from Frankfurt and donated to Swabia for their efforts against the French.

OOC: I'll duplicate this post for the Imperial Diet Thread.

[Ramses II CP]

I would ask that my bombard crew be retrained at Arhus sometime in the next few turns and hopefully that a company or two of arquebusiers could be added to my army.

Fritz von Kastilien

[Zim]

Now that I'm Count of Acre I request any low grade professional forces (say, regular sergeant spearmen or something) that can be afforded to reinforce Antioch and Adana. The build order set by Viceroy Matthias is fine with me.

Militia for Antioch is also welcome, although I think asking for that is under Matthias' jurisdiction, not mine.

[TinCow]

Taking the save. I will also move Herrmann Steffen as part of my turn.

[edit] Done.
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1346-1.zip

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

IC:
Having cleared the rebels from around Genoa, I have surveyed the situation in Italy. It seems that Kaiser Elberhard's attack on Bologna has finally broken the Greek defenses. My scouts report only one moderate sized army remaining in all of Northern Italy. Given that the Kaiser's army is now leaderless and it will take many years for Kaiser Peter to make his way to Italy, I have decided to continue the advance in Italy with the army under my command, BHA Otto. Friedrich Karolinger is riding with me and together I expect to destroy this remaining Byzantine army next year and besiege Florence. I hope to liberate the Capital of Bavaria and the city that I love by 1350.

[Northnovas]

Austrian House Orders:

Johann will continue to Ragusa to meet the 1st AHA that is the name I will stick to for the time being. Though I do remembering a proposal for a Chancellor Army a long time ago.


The troops in the Vienna Region will gather in Vienna with commanders to be cleaned up and reinforced. Would replace the serpentine for a cannon if possible. Recruitment cannon.

Prague if Lord Zirn is not required he could head back to Vienna with his troops.

[FactionHeir]

Taking save.

[Warluster]

Ludwig von Bohmen is to be knghted at once. The SHA1 is to stay under the command of Erhart Ruppel. The SHA2 is to stay in Bruges.

Train a sizeable Swabian Army for our use (Along the lines of other HA) And bring it to outside Staufen.

Prepare Staufen for a siege. Duke von Salza is to takeat least two regiments of knights and 1 regiment of spearmen (And DUke von Salza's bodyguards) and they are to also meet outside Staufen, where I want them to help bern if it is sieged.. Also try and detain the plague in Staufen.
EDIT: These moves have been carried out. Thanks for saying gibson, I thought when he gave permission it was just that, permission.

[gibsonsg91921]

OOC: Ludwig is knighted - by Kaiser Elberhard.

[Cecil XIX]

Let it be known that it will take more than a plague to get me to leave my county. I am not going to abandon my people when I could instead help ease their suffering.

[FactionHeir]

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1346-2.zip

-Topped up AI (didn't need to top up too much. Maybe TC already did some?)
-Took Dijon (screens to follow)
-Added repair and militia to Dijon queue (Chancellor is free to remove if he has IC reason)

[edit]
Dijon was occupied btw. Net gain of 3068 florins or something like that.

[deguerra]

having had a quick peek at the save, thanks for the troops recruited in Bruges, and the walls repaird, that will be an immense help!

A) the taxes in Bruges can be set from Low to Very High without any real detriment.

B) could this money possible be used to retrain the few units that can currently be retrained there? That would still leave cash left over, and be most helpful for Swabia as well.

I suppose my Duke needs to give these orders for them to be effective? In that case, von Salza, could you agree with me?

[Cecil XIX]

Battle fought and won.

I only had enough movement to attack one stack, so I sent the Polish artillery packing.

[gibsonsg91921]

A change of long-term orders for Peter von Kastilien:

Move Peter and his retinue south as Elberhard's army moves north, leaving a Gothic Knight regiment behind for Lothar. When Peter and the army are united, move to Swabia and attack any French armies - do not besiege any cities. This shall be a mobile force.

EDIT: Taking the save to smoke the Poles nearby Petey.

[gibsonsg91921]

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/KOTR1346-4.zip

Ok, I won a close victory - The Emperor's Army is quite weakened (too much bloody missile cav), but that's ok because I am getting Elberhard's in a turn or two.

I moved all of Elberhard's army except the regiment of Gothic Knights and the Bombard from Bologna and lowered the taxes to prevent riot.

Captain Dimarus commands the army going up to Peter.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Warluster]

I'm taking the save to do some stuff and move the Duke elsewhere.

[Warluster]

The save has been uploaded. I merely moved Duke von Salza out of danger from that lancer French Army and am protecting Staufen from anothe r French Army and Hungarian Army.